The incident is under investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Atkinson scored 23 goals in 85 appearances for Villa between 1991 and 1995. He also played for Ipswich Town, Sheffield Wednesday, Real Sociedad, and Fenerbahçe.

But the peak of his career was surely this magnificent run for Villa against Wimbledon, in which he dribbled the ball past five Wimbledon players before chipping the ball in over the goalie from outside the box. It was named Match of the Day's "Goal of the Season" in the first-ever staging of the Premier League:

He beat two goals by Manchester United's Ryan Giggs, one from Liverpool's Ian Rush, and another goal by himself for the honour.